Apple’s first foldable iPhone is due next week under a new chief executive

Apple is preparing to enter the foldable-phone market seven years after Samsung began releasing new Galaxy Z Fold models each year. The company is expected to present its first foldable iPhone on September 9, with the launch taking place under a new chief executive.

The device has been in development for years and is widely expected to carry the name iPhone Ultra. Its arrival is expected to come later than the launch of the other new iPhone 18 models, giving the foldable phone a separate place in Apple’s lineup.

The timing highlights the distance Samsung has built in the category. The South Korean company, described as the world’s largest mobile-phone manufacturer, has released a new and improved Galaxy Z Fold annually for seven years. Those devices have gradually found their way into more pockets and bags.

Apple is also expected to charge more than usual for this year’s new phones. The company’s foldable model will therefore arrive as both a long-awaited product and a more expensive addition to its range.